News Releases

The business lobby group yesterday said a carbon trading scheme could cost New Zealand $3.5 billion between 2008 and 2012 compared with about $600 million if the Government carried the cost of the country's greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol.

25 June 2007, NZPA

Hon David Parker

He said he preferred Treasury's estimate of the cost of carbon, at about $13 a tonne, to Business New Zealand's estimate of $30 a tonne. Mr Parker said the Business New Zealand analysis was exaggerated. ``I would accuse them of scaremongering at this stage.

€14.56

(NZ$ 26.95)

31 August 2007

Cabinet Paper (07) 190 “Options to Limit New Thermal Capacity”

Hon David Parker

I have confidence that a 90% renewable target is technically feasible and likely to be reasonably economic within the range of current technologies and with a moderate price of carbon ($50/tonne or less).

18 September 2007

Taranaki Daily News

Hon David Parker

Climate Change Minister David Parker said power and fuel price rises of 5% spread over several years were likely. Officials predicted the overall effect would be "minuscule".

(Comments based on $15/tonne)

€16.36

(NZ$ 30.29)

20 September 2007

NZPA

Hon David Parker

Electricity generators would be hit from 2010 and Mr Parker estimated this would drive up power bills by five percent.

Mr Parker said it would be a small price to pay to combat global warming.

(comments based on $15/tonne)

€16.72

(NZ$ 30.95)

21 September 2007

New Zealand Herald

Hon David Parker

Climate Change Minister David Parker said the price increases were well worth it and the staggered phase- in of different sectors of the economy would buffer the blow.

``Let's get real here. Four cents a litre in a couple of years to get climate change? What a deal!''

(comments based on $15/tonne)

€16.72

(NZ$ 30.95)

21 September 2007

NZPA

Hon David Parker

Mr Parker said the cost to the average (electricity) consumer would be about $7 a month, a small price to pay to combat global warming.

(comments based on $15/tonne)

€16.81 (NZ$31.32)

Launch of NZ Energy Strategy

11 October 2007

Hon David Parker

Assuming a medium term emissions price of $25 per tonne of CO2 emissions, substantial additional quantities of new geothermal and wind are clearly economic. Although it is likely to be some time before the international and New Zealand carbon price reaches $25 per tonne, new power stations last for decades and it is likely those building them will take into account the longer term cost of emissions.